Identification of psychological comorbidity in TMD-patients

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the current study was to access the prevalence of depression among patients with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) compared to patients with no current TMD. METHOD: Patients (92) and controls (90) answered questionnaires on subjective pain, severity of chronic pain, jaw disability, emotional well-being and depression, and a clinical examination was performed. RESULTS: Temporomandibular Joint Disorder patients reported higher disability of jaw function, compared to controls (p<0.001). The myoarthopathy subgroup (67.4%) had slightly more jaw disability than the myopathy subgroup (p>0.05). While 51% of TMD patients reported poor emotional well-being, only 7.8% of controls were affected (p<0.001). Clinical symptoms of depression were reported by 16% of TMD patients and not in the controls (p<0.001). Among TMD patients, a higher prevalence of depression was observed in the myopathy subgroup. DISCUSSION: A regular screening for psychological problems, using standardized questionnaires, should be integrated in clinical examination of TMD patients.